Customer Reviews

Whole Notes: Sergei Rachmaninoff [VHS]

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Most of this video has to do with Rachmaninoff's battle with depression after his Symphony #1 was trashed by the critics. After his treatment by Dr. Dahl, a hypnotherapist, Rachmaninoff was able to write his most famous work--Piano Concerto #2 in C minor.

Using musical examples,photographs and interspersed with commentary by Jon Kimura-Parker, Pinchas Zuckerman and others, we learn about how Rachmaninoff was able to overcome his personal problems. Also included is a very simple, but excellent demonstration (by Kimura-Parker) of how Rachmaninoff took Paganini's Caprice for violin, and made the beautiful 18th Variation from "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini."

And, one cannot say enough about Kimura-Parker's performances of the various pieces by Rachmaninoff, especially the Concerto #2. He and Zuckerman (as conductor) work well together, and the lovely and melodious final movement is just perfect.

If this video was only longer...but it is fabulous! Highly and enthusiastically recommended!